Crime
23-year-old Lance Morales wanted for the murder of Jessiah Mercado and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz
Police warned that he might also have access to other vehicles.
Hartford police are urgently searching for a man considered armed and extremely dangerous following a devastating shooting Tuesday afternoon that claimed the lives of a 20-year-old Massachusetts woman and her infant son.
The tragedy unfolded around 2:30 p.m. on New Britain Avenue, near Hillside Avenue and Zion Street.
According to investigators, a vehicle pulled up alongside the victimsโ car and opened fire before speeding away.
The victims, identified as Jessiah Mercado, 20, and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, both from Springfield, Massachusetts, were rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to their injuries.
A third victim, a man in his 20s, sustained a gunshot wound but is expected to recover. The driver of the victims’ car was not injured.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 23-year-old Lance “Macho” Morales, whose last known address is in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Morales is believed to have fled the scene in a white Infiniti Q-70 bearing Massachusetts license plate 3NEB35.
Police warned that he might also have access to other vehicles.
Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting stemmed from a dispute over a vehicle.
Interim Police Chief Kenny Howell issued a direct plea to Morales, saying, “Lance, you have no other option but to hand yourself in to the Hartford Police Department for the horrific crimes you have committed. You have taken the lives of an infant and his mother. We do not tolerate that in this city.”
The Hartford Police Department is urging anyone with information about Moralesโ whereabouts to contact them immediately. This tragic case remains under active investigation.
Crime
14-Year-Old Middleton High School Student Carson Chrapkowski Dies After Bicycle Crash, Driver Alyssa Anderson Arrested
MIDDLETON, Idaho โ A 14-year-old Middleton High School student has died after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle near the high school Friday night, according to the Middleton Police Department.
The teenager was transported by Life Flight to St. Lukeโs Boise following the crash but died from his injuries early Saturday morning.
Middleton police said the crash involved a vehicle and a bicyclist near Middleton High School. The 14-year-old suffered critical injuries and was flown to a Boise hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Police announced Saturday morning that the young bicyclist had succumbed to his injuries.
The teen was identified in the information provided for this report as Carson Chrapkowski, a Middleton High School student. However, the police departmentโs public statement did not release the teenagerโs name.
Police arrested 41-year-old Alyssa Louise Anderson in connection with the crash. Anderson was booked into the Canyon County Jail.
According to police, Anderson is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter, aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an injury accident.
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the collision or the specific allegations supporting the DUI charge.
The crash remains under investigation by the Middleton Police Department and Idaho State Police. Investigators have not released further information about the sequence of events or whether additional charges could be filed.
Police said they are continuing to work to establish the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
The Middleton Police Department expressed condolences to the teenagerโs parents, family, friends, classmates and others affected by his death as the community mourns the loss of a young student.